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Protect young eyes in the sun
August 19 2009: Half of parents who buy sunglasses for their children would consider price over protection.
Parents are risking sun damage to their children’s eyes by not making them wear sunglasses or large hats as protection, according to the College of Optometrists.
The survey of 2,000 parents shows that three quarters of them don’t protect their children’s eyes in the sun. A third of parents don’t buy sunglasses at all, and of those that do buy sunglasses half consider price over protection.
Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser to the College of Optometrists, said: “I am shocked that so many parents aren’t ensuring their child’s eyes are protected in the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) light is linked to cataracts and may be linked to age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in the Western world.”
“The pupils of the eye get bigger when you wear dark sunglasses and if they don’t have any UV light protection in them, it may be best to not wear them at all. Wide-brimmed hats or baseball caps, anything which shields the eyes from the sun can also protect your child’s eyes. You may wish to put your child in both, sunglasses with UV light protection and a hat.”
In the European Union, the CE standards mark identifies sunglasses that have UV light absorption.
Simon Kelly of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists said: “Over-exposure to ultraviolet light without proper eye protection can cause a temporary but painful burn to the surface of the eye (cornea) - similar to sunburn on the skin.”
“Staring directly at the sun can permanently scar the retina, the area at the back of the eye responsible for vision,” he continued. “Never look at the sun with a telescope. Make sure that your children know this.”
Larry Benjamin, also of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, added: “Very young children shouldn't be exposed to bright sunshine at all.”
Key facts
Sunglasses should fit comfortably
Check the label on sunglasses for the following protection information:
100 percent UV protection
UV 400
European Standard CE marked
British Standard (BE EN 1836:1997)
UV light has been linked to the development of cataracts, and may be a factor in age-related macular degeneration and malignant melanoma (cancer) of the eye
Light-coloured eyes (ie blue eyes) may be more at risk
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